Former USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University doctor Larry Nassar was charged with 22 additional counts of sexual assault on Wednesday.
Nassar, 53, is accused of sexually assaulting young female athletes under the claims of medical treatment.
According to Attorney General Bill Schuette, five of the new charges are related to victims under the age of 13. The other 17 charges are related to Nassar taking advantage of his position of authority to commit the alleged sexual assaults.
“Dr. Nassar preyed on these young girls, he used his status and authority to engage in horrid sexual assaults under the guise of medical procedures. He violated the oath that every doctor takes to do no harm,” said Schuette. “The girls abused by Dr. Nassar were so young, so innocent that they didn’t fully understand what Nassar was doing to them until many years later. We have a duty to protect our children, and that’s what we are doing today.”
“The allegations of sexual assault against Dr. Nassar continue to increase nearly every day, and we remain constantly in contact with the victims as we move forward,” said Michigan State University Police Chief Jim Dunlap. “Our priority is getting justice for the survivors and we are determined to make certain that occurs. I encourage anyone who may have been a victim of Larry Nassar to come forward by contacting the MSU Police Department.”
“I would like to thank the Michigan State University Police Department for their hard work on the investigation of the sexual assaults allegedly committed by Mr. Nassar,” Schuette added. “The professionalism shown by Chief Dunlap and Det. Sgt. Munford is exactly what the victims in this case need to ensure their stories are told.”
Nassar will be arraigned on Thursday, February 23 at 55th District Court at 10 a.m.
